Product Spotlight Series: Carseats (w/o 3/19)

offtoneverland · March 2018

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's...carseats!

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.

For S+TMs:

Any lifestyle factors that could influence your picks:
Favorite [carseat]:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like about it:
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Is there a [carseat] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a [carseat] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [carseats]?:

For FTMs

[Carseat] you're interested in:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

To view past Product Spotlights or view the upcoming schedule, click this link.

(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)

lurvleybunchococonuts · March 2018

YES! I was JUST thinking about car seats yesterday. I'm not a huge fan of the whole "travel" system thing and leaning heavily towards a convertible car seat (or two). I don't have anything against travel systems and I do understand the convenience of being able to pop baby in and out of the car easily, but I want to babywear and also really dislike the heavy use of people sticking baby in their carseat and that's essentially where they stay for long periods of time (maybe that's abnormal or I just know people that rely on them too much). Either way it just seems like an easy trap to fall into "baby is asleep lets just leave them there" so I'd rather avoid them altogether. Anyhow... The two I'm considering that seem pretty comparable are:
1) the Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, $120 on Amazon

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/nl/r1ocb00z2i3k.png

2) the Graco SlimFit All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, $176 on Amazon

I'm actually considering getting one of each cause the Graco seems like it'd fit best in my car and the Safety 1st would go in H's Jeep.
Anyone have any experience with either or even similar seats? Pros/cons? They are on the "lower" end budget wise but honestly review wise they seem just as comparable as the higher end car seats I've seen. Is there really that much difference?

brookepdavis · March 2018

We had the Graco Click Connect 35 as our bucket seat. I loved it because it was so light. We were able to carry her in it until almost 12 months. We'll be using it as our infant seat for this one too. We tried some of the others at BBB before deciding on this one and they were all SO heavy.

For convertible car seats, we have two Graco 4 Evers and 1 Britax Clicktight. I love the ease of install for the Clicktight. We use that one when we fly because it's so easy to install in a rental car or cab. It's really heavy, but we got the travel cart to go with it so we just roll it through the airport. Mostly it lives in my MIL's car for when she watches DD. DD loves her Graco 4 Evers and wasn't a huge fan of the Britax at first, but now she seems to be fine in it. She's not a huge fan of carseats all together, so that's a challenge in itself.

We'll probably get more 4 Evers once we get to convertibles for this LO, but that's a long way away.

sarcaztic1016 · March 2018

We have a Graco 4 Ever and love love love it. Its so easy to install. We will likely get another one. They are a bit pricey but if they go on sale for Black Friday/Cyber Monday that is when I would get them.

vicioustrollop · March 2018

Graco 4 Ever 4-ever here!

pink_polkadots · March 2018

We used a Graco click connect 35 travel system for Dd when she was an infant. When she was a little bigger, around 10 months, we switched to the Graco 4 Ever. I love(d) both!

phoenix870509 · March 2018

Another vote for the Graco Click Connect 35 Travel System. We got bases for my car, DH's car and my mom's car, so you don't have to constantly insall/uninstall a car seat whenever you switch cars. DS still fits in it, but we will transition soon to his Graco Extend2 Fit and put the new baby in the Click Connect 35.

oaklandava · March 2018

We have a Graco 4ever for DS and have had it since he was about 10 months. I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and get that now and then just carry sleeping baby/wake it up or what. I know I told my DH originally I wish we had that for him from the beginning, but would we have liked not having a "travel system"? I have no idea.

mockingjay1 · March 2018

I am a big fan of infant seats because you don't have to wake them up taking them out or putting them in the carseat. I've worked with A LOT of carseats as a nurse in the nursery and NICU and so I knew with DS which one was my favorite. We love our Chicco keyfit 30. The base is easy to install and the seat itself is so easy to tighten and loosen and it just feels like a well built seat.

We had to switch to a convertible carseat when DS was 6 months old due to his height and picked the chicco nextfit zip which we love. It's a little bulky/wide, but again it installs SO easy it's no big deal for us to switch it between our vehicles. I only work once a week, so we only have 1 since it's so easy to move it.

lifesabeach85 · March 2018

In addition to letting baby keep sleeping, the travel system has some other benefits. Newborns can’t sit up in a stroller, so unless you have like an old school style pram you need something to click into a stroller. Also, it’s really handy for traveling or using multiple cars. You can have a base in your car, DH’s car, grandmas car etc and then you just move the seat. Moving a whole convertible car seat is a much bigger pain. Same goes if you need to bring the car seat on a plane.

We have the chicco key fit 30 and it was great. I also used a Citi Mini stroller and bought an adaptor off Amazon to make them compatible as a travel system. Super easy to install.

So if you like one stroller and a different car seat, it’s not an issue to make them work together.

brookepdavis · March 2018

@mockingjay1 I second your comments about an infant seat for sleeping babies. It's a lifesaver those first few months. Being able to pop in and out of places without waking the baby is critical.

pink_polkadots · March 2018

@lifesabeach85 tell me more about this adapter. We bought a city mini a couple years ago for Disney trips and sold our Graco click connect stroller. I didn’t know if I could kept the city mini or if I’d have to buy a new travel system.

brookepdavis · March 2018

@pink_polkadots We have the adapter for the Graco click connect with the City Mini. It's like this (double check your models before buying)... https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Jogger-Adapter-Connect-1971511/dp/B00HMAJM4Q/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1521561677&sr=8-1&keywords=click+connect+city+mini

It's super easy to just click the infant seat onto the City Mini.

aels12 · March 2018

@lurvleybunchococonuts we bought the Slim fit when my DS was 6 months old and we like it a lot. Easy to install and I love that it’s not huge and bulky. I’m not sure how fit would work for a newborn, but in general I think it’s a great seat!

vrj0522 · March 2018

So my 10 month is still in his infant seat, and he still falls asleep in it and it's wonderful. Transferring a baby can be next to impossible so it's great when they can fall asleep and stay asleep in their seats. Sometimes he'll fall asleep 10 minutes before we get home and by then it's either letting him sleep in the car seat or no nap so yeah, we love the infant seat.

We have had the Graco Snugride Click Connect, the Baby Trend Flex Loc, and the Chicco Keyfit 30. The Baby Trend seat has to have the handle adjusted to the back of the baby seat before it can go in the car. I found that seat extremely hard to install, tighten, and even the handles were hard to adjust. The one plus was that you don't need to re-thread the seat belt to adjust it as baby grows. The Baby Trend is the cheapest of the 3 seats (about $100) and you get what you pay for with this one. Rather than buying this seat, I would suggest shopping sales or trade in events and getting something better for a similar price.

The Graco Snugride was a lot easier to use and it was simple enough. Installing and tightening was not very easy but it was okay. You do have to re-thread the belts as baby grows. I think it runs around $120 in price. The awesome thing about Graco though is that you can go directly to their website: Gracobaby.com and get some really good deals. I just bought a convertible car seat and a high back booster from them for $159... about $50-70 lower than if I shopped anywhere else, so if you want a Graco, keep an eye on their site and look for deals that they offer. Right now, it's 20% off, on top of any discounts already applied.

The Chicco Key Fit was by far the superior car seat. Super easy to install and tighten -- I seriously didn't think such a thing existed until we got this car seat. It's amazing. I love it simply for the reason that its so easy to install and move from car to car if needed, or simply pull out if we need to move the seat for any reason. I don't begrudge having to pull it out or re-install. It really is amazing. You do need to re-thread the belts as baby grows so that might be the only not-so-good thing about this seat. This one runs about $200 but it is so worth it. You can also find it on albeebaby.com for cheaper, maybe as low as $140. BTW, that is a good site to find discounted car seats. I don't know how they get their seats but they are usually seats that were manufactured 1-2 years earlier, so you lose some of the shelf life of the seat but you get a really nice discount instead.

Sorry for the novel! Thanks for reading!

lifesabeach85 · March 2018

@pink_polkadots I don’t see why you can’t keep your city mini with an adaptor. Ours worked great. DH was able to install himself. Here is a link on Amazon to one that I believe is the same. And below is a pic of DD in her Key Fit that is hooked into the City Mini.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Jogger-Adapter-Single-Peg-Perego/dp/B019W2SO7M/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1521567898&sr=8-2&keywords=baby+jogger+city+mini+chicco+keyfit+30+adapter&th=1

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/yc/m460zbu3s9vf.jpg

pelorunningmama · March 2018

The babies r us by me is going to liquidation on Thursday. I just stopped in to check out what they might have available. For my first two, we used a Peg Pereggo infant seat that I had an adapter on my BOB for. Once they graduated from that, we moved into Clek seats. I absolutely love Clek. The cost is a bit to swallow, but safety wise, I think they are top notch for convertible.

However, I want a travel system this go round and have to replace because our infant seat expired. Since it is our last, I'm hoping to find something in the sale this week. Does anyone have experience with Maxi Cosi, specifically the Adorra travel system? Reviews online are so-so. The stroller was marked down 50%. They had one full travel system left, but it wasn't marked down yet. I am hoping that sticks around for liquidation on Thursday.

ashkee05 · March 2018

I like the travel systems. we got the Chicco bravo system. It came with a keyfit car seat. I agree with liking not having to wake baby up when sleeping. Also being able to close up the seat in the car seat to keep the weirdos away lol

for convertible we went with the graco 4ever extend to fit. I like that it can rear face until 50 lbs and I am all about extended rear facing

offtoneverland · March 2018

I just copied this comment from another board I'm on about Graco carseat sales:
**The Graco website is offering 20% off all car seats (or if you don't need a car seat but have never ordered from them before, they have a 20% off code for your first order).
The 4ever model (specifically in "Cougar" - which is just red and black) is also currently 15% off, so the $299 comes down to $203 with both discounts applied. Shipping is free. The least expensive at Target, Walmart & Amazon is $250.**

AFM- We have the Chicco Keyfit 30 as well. I love it! It seems like a really popular seat because I see people using it all over the place. It's the same carseat we used with DD, so I have to pull it out of the crawl space to make sure it hasn't expired yet. It was a little on the more expensive side from what I recall, but as PP mentioned, it was really easy to get the straps nice and snug which is great and made me feel like DD was super safe. We didn't have the whole travel system, just the seat. We got an attachment thing for our BOB stroller so the carseat could fit in it.

@lurvleybunchococonuts I was always nervous about the lower priced seats too, but someone told me that all carseats are just as safe, since they all have to pass the same safety standards, but the more expensive ones might be more durable, easier to use, or more comfortable for baby. Personally, I really liked having our infant carseat because it was just so easy to strap DD in the carseat inside the house, then transport her to the car. Little babies can't even keep their heads up, so it sounds so difficult to have to wrangle them into a carseat that you can't remove from the car! But it's completely up to you, and if that's something you can live with, I say go for it!

Another thing I wanted to mention though is that I've heard before that some hospitals require you to have an infant carseat to take baby home. Our hospital had us bring the seat into the hospital, strap DD in, then MH carried her out to the car. However, I just looked this up and Car Seats for the Littles says it's not true. Some hospitals might make you think it's a requirement, but there are no laws saying that baby has to be in an infant seat. Just something to keep in mind though in case your hospital makes a fuss.

Quick safety reminder for everyone: This post is already really long but I wanted to add a blurb about carseat safety! Please please please make sure you look up safety rules online. Babies and kids should never wear winter coats in carseats. And please oh please make sure the straps are nice and tight! You won't hurt the baby, but the straps need to be really snug to keep the baby safe. I've seen so many people at day care that have the straps so so loose and it makes me really sad, but I would never say something to anyone about it in person. Car Seats for the Littles (link above) is a great resource. *steps off soapbox*

pelorunningmama · March 2018

@offtoneverland thanks for sharing all of that! I struggle with what to do when I see improper use. I know if it was me, I would want someone to tell me, but then not everyone is that way. My 4 year old is still rear-facing (I'm crazy), but she doesn't mind! One of my good friends works in the pediatric wing of an emergency room and she mentioned babies are always getting brought in for falling off of grocery carts in their car seat. People like to balance the car seat on the little area where you would typically strap in a larger kid (or put your purse) to save room in the cart, but it is so dangerous. I cringe every time I see someone doing it at the grocery store, but I never know what exactly to say. So difficult.

mockingjay1 · March 2018

@offtoneverland - I'm a freak about carseat safety too!

@wannaflickone - My DS who turned 3 in November is still rear facing too. The only thing I don't like about our convertible carseat is that it only rear faces up to 40lbs (and he is 38lbs now). My goal was to make it to 4, but I don't think we will due to his weight.

pelorunningmama · March 2018

@mockingjay1 That's awesome you've been able to keep him rear-facing so long! Our convertible goes up to 50 rear-facing and poor DD is only 32 lbs. She might be rear-facing until she is 6!

She will outgrow it length wise well before weight.

offtoneverland · March 2018

@wannaflickone Thanks for mentioning the grocery carts too! It really bothers me to see that as well, but I assume that most people would understand the dangers of that. It even looks dangerous! I've never said anything to anyone about carseat safety because I'm not a very confrontational person, and everyone is capable of making their own decisions, even if it's the wrong one.

My best friend puts her kids in their carseats with their winter coats on. She complained to me about someone who told her it was dangerous, but she still does it. She says she pulls the straps tight, so it's fine. It makes me nervous for her, but she had the information about it being dangerous and chose to ignore it, so I guess it's on her.
We didn't keep my daughter rear facing for as long as we should have, but MH was getting frustrated about having to keep his seat so far forward to fit the carseat, so he wanted to switch it.

pelorunningmama · March 2018

@wannaflickone DH turned DD in his car for the same reason. Luckily I'm short, so there is tons of room in my car.

How hard about your best friend! She does have the information, but I know that must be hard on you.

runningyogimama · March 2018

We awe are Graco fans all around! I’m also a car seat freak (DD1 was RF until just before 4, and DD2 until she was 3/refused to be RF because we flipped DD1). Graco seats are easy to install, adjust, and are reasonably priced.

Travel system - I can’t imagine not having one the first few months! We have a Graco Snugride 22 Click Connect. Super lightweight, didn’t intend to use it super long so wasn’t afraid of them outgrowing it too quickly, and reasonably priced.

For convertible seats, we have the Graco Size4Me (one of the Graco “clones”). They RF to 40 lbs.

And then we switched to Graco Tranzitions for FF only/will convert to high back boosters in my husband’s car, since they are such slim seats now that they’re both FF.

offtoneverland · May 2018

Bumping this up for @linz36

linz36 · May 2018

@offtoneverland thank you!

lifesabeach85 · May 2018

Found this on FB. Seemed relevant

offtoneverland · May 2018

@lifesabeach Thank you for sharing! It's a great visual. On a side note, that baby is so wonderfully chubby, I want to squish it!

runwmusic · July 2018

I'm so torn between the Chico keyfit 30 and the Graco snugride snuglock dlx 35. It seems like I will end up buying an expensive stroller separate from the Graco if I go that route but I just love the one handed carry bar release. I'm thinking I'll go Chico keyfit just because of how many more strollers it works with.

eahayes · July 2018

Love this thread! Did a buttload of research on car seats and was between the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the graco snugride snug fit with the extender. Both seemed to be really great but I had two friends vouch for the Keyfit -- obviously my husband decided he knows best and declared we should do the graco.. the extend option helps in case my baby happens to be long as he grows (can extend it so they don't kick the seat) and both of them had the shock bar in case of impact. Whatever, I'm sure I'll hate whatever carseat we end up with as my kid grows and it becomes heavy as heck to move around!
(stroller is a city mini gt)

preggersabroad · July 2018

I have so many questions on this..... I have a company car, so can only use it off hours (driving back and forth to work, evenings, and weekends) so I think it would be easiest if the car seat wasn't permanent. I was planning on having a stroller that has a light weight click in carrier. Would this carrier be able to be used as a car seat? How do they strap in- do they all still have some sort of click in base? (I haven't been able to do any "hand on" shopping yet- it's all online at this point). Are the bases easy to strap in? Thanks so much for your advice!!!

offtoneverland · July 2018

@preggersabroad Remind me--you said you're coming back to the states to have your baby, right? Will you be moving back overseas after you have the baby? The car seat question will depend on what country you'll be living in, probably, as each country has their own rules and standards. To answer your question, you can click some infant car seats into strollers, but you may have to get an extra piece to allow the seat to fit, unless you get a matching set. Lots of car seats have the matching travel system so you can easily click the car seat into it and go. For your car, you'll have to have a base that attaches to the seat, which you'll click the car seat into when driving. (Sorry if I answered your question with too basic of an answer!)
The only types of car seats that are "permanent" are the convertible type car seats, so just stay away from those and you should be fine.

runwmusic · July 2018

@eahayes so many people have the keyfit but when I played around with both in the store I really preferred the snugride snuglock dlx. Have you put your hands on them? The dlx has a single button on the handle that I just love!!

lostarz14 · July 2018

We had/have the Chicco Keyfit 30 and I have no complaints. DD was in it until about a year old when I couldn't carry her anymore lol.

For the next stage we have the Evenflo Symphony DLX/Elite (just bought another one during the Amazon Prime sale). I love it. Easy to install, easy to tighten, has cup holders. No complaints.

We also have a Maxi Cosi Pria 70 since we needed something smaller for a car we no longer have and I absolutely hate it. It was twice the price of the Evenflo too. I literally can't tighten DD into it by myself, it's so hard to pull!...that reminds me I need to reply back to the company with some info since I complained to them about it. Idk if it's user error or what but it was fine when she was rear facing. We've taken it apart and it still sucks.

lostarz14 · July 2018

We have the chicco key fit 30 and it was great. I also used a Citi Mini stroller and bought an adaptor off Amazon to make them compatible as a travel system. Super easy to install.

This is exactly what we had/did.

emjohn517 · July 2018

We have the Gracco Connect travel system, worked great, still within expiration date so keeping it for this one. We have the Gracco 4ever for DD and love it. No problems on either one.

middleschoolmommy · July 2018

I was able to get a snug ride click connect and the snug ride elite carseat carrier (stroller) for $110 on prime day. I already put it together and love it!

hollyeva · July 2018

Any lifestyle factors that could influence your picks: Size of vehicle, number of other car seats you need to accommodate, etc.
Favorite [carseat]: Favorite infant carrier/travel system- Britax B-Safe 35. The stroller in this system is light, easily folds down and fits in any trunk, and you can push it with one hand when needed. The carrier is relatively light, I love the handle on it because it feels pretty stable and it's easy enough to hook over your arm.
Favorite convertible/booster- Diono Radian. This thing is heavy, don't get me wrong, but it's one of the safest ones on the market and it's slim enough to fit three across a row in a medium-large vehicle.
New favorite booster: Mifold. My husband drives a Ford Focus as a commuter car. He uses it to take clients to lunch, drive into the city, and it parks well. We had a dilemma with him being able to pick up all three kids (when needed) with this car because fitting 3 across the back seat of a Ford Focus is next to impossible. On a whim (and at a friend's suggestion) we purchased a Mifold for my 5 year old to see if it would fit in the middle between the Britax and the Diono (what my 2 year old is in right now). This is the only one that shows promise. Saves us having to purchase another new vehicle for him!
Cost: The Britax system has been around long enough that you can get it from one of the FB marketplace groups for half the price of it's retail at about $200. the Diono is more rare to get used, and it's pricey as well- another $200. The Mifold was $40 at Target, and it seems to be one of the most intelligently designed booster seats I've seen since the emphasis is not on necessarily boosting the child, but bringing the seatbelt down to a safe level for them.

lurvleybunchococonuts · July 2018

hollyeva said:
*snipped*
Cost: The Britax system has been around long enough that you can get it from one of the FB marketplace groups for half the price of it's retail at about $200. the Diono is more rare to get used, and it's pricey as well- another $200. The Mifold was $40 at Target, and it seems to be one of the most intelligently designed booster seats I've seen since the emphasis is not on necessarily boosting the child, but bringing the seatbelt down to a safe level for them.

Please be EXTREMELY careful if considering borrowing or purchasing a 2nd hand/used car seat. If that is the route you are going please make sure:

1) The seller knows the ENTIRE history of the car seat.
2) The seat was never in a crash. *If it was in a minor crash, make sure it's a manufacturer that allows the use of the seat after a minor crash and that it follow their guidelines
3) All parts are present & in working order
4) There are no recalls, or recalls have been addressed
5) The seat has not expired AND has enough time left to last the child until they need a new seat

Information taken from: https://thecarseatlady.com/used/

bswishe4 · July 2018

We had the Chicco keyfit 30 and loved it. DS is going to be 6 before this baby is born so we knew his seat would expire. We got rid of the seat years ago but kept the stroller so we will get another keyfit 30 so we can use the stroller we already have. We will be getting a 2nd car seat as well because I work full time and we have to transition from my car to my mother in laws almost daily. I have been torn between the Graco 4Ever and the Chicco Nextfit iX Zip. I know I loved the Chicco brand so I am leaning toward

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Product Spotlight Series: Carseats (w/o 3/19)

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